Day 3 – January Daily Blog Posting Month.

So, this daily blog thing isn’t the only challenge I have set for myself.

Like most people, I made a few resolutions for January 1.

Resolution #1 – cut back on the treats.  Since getting pregnant and delivering the baby (so, yeah, the better part of a year), I have been indulging in the sweets.  Be it ice cream, cookies, chocolate, you name it, I have eaten it.  Caramel popcorn? Check.  Chocolate popcorn? Check.  Ice cream? Check. Daily dessert after dinner? Check.  I am shocked that I don’t tip the scales more than I already do. I had this notion that the sweet tooth would magically vanish after the baby was born.  Truth be told, it got worse.  A lot worse!  By the end of December, it became apparent to me that not only was I not losing the baby weight, I actually gained several pounds.  Cue the panic button.  Which leads me to….

Resolution #2 – run more frequently.  Since early November, when I started back to running, I have been only going 1-2 times a week.  Sometimes as long as 10 days between runs. Well, clearly this isn’t the way to build up my distance or my endurance, or encourage weight loss.  So, I set a new goal.  I would run 3 times a week (barring any extreme weather). And, by the end of January, I vow that I will be….

Resolution #3 –  running 5km consistently. Eventually I would like to be able to run 5km without stopping, but for now I will settle with steady 5:1 intervals.  I am already running mostly 4:1 intervals, so this should be entirely do-able.

Resolution #4 – complete two other exercise challenges.  While surfing on Pinterest, I found two challenges that I think I can master this month.  The first is a 200 squat challenge and the second is to be able to do an elbow plank for 3 minutes. I am also throwing in, for good measure, a beginners Pilates 10 minute workout.  It’s been 3 days and I can already feel the difference in my core as well as see it in my figure.  But, it hurts. Oh, does it ever hurt!

So, there you have it.  I am on a mission this month to get healthy.  While the goal is weight loss, I know I can’t realistically expect a lot while I continue to breastfeed.  So, for the time being, my goal is to eat better, exercise more, and with any luck, my clothes might just start to fit a bit better.